David Price has teamed up with former undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis as he bids to get his career back on track following defeat to Tony Thompson.

Price, 29, was stunned by the veteran American in Liverpool in February, suffering his first professional defeat by way of a second-round knockout.

And he has sought the advice of Lewis who rebuilt his own career following defeats to first Oliver McCall and then Hasim Rahman.

Blow: David Price lost to Tony Thompson in February but has the chance for revenge in July

Price starts out on the road to redemption in Canada next week when he will train under the watchful eye of Lewis ahead of his rematch with Thompson at the Liverpool Echo Arena on July 6.

'This is a fantastic opportunity to be able to work with one of the
greatest heavyweights of all time and I'm sure his knowledge will prove
to be invaluable,' Price said.

Comeback: Lennox Lewis was knocked out by Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman but avenged both losses

Lewis has been retired for almost 10 years, bowing out on a high with victory over Vitali Klitschko.

He avenged both defeats on his record and was also successful against the likes of Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.

'David is a dedicated fighter,; he said. 'He takes his training seriously and is single minded in wanting to avenge that defeat and as a fighter I understand that and want to help him towards his goal.'

Main man: Lewis was the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, winning 41 of his 44 contests

Party time: The long wait for F1 fans was over at last as the season kicked off in style

Cruising: Raikkonen drives through the pit lane after driving the fastest lap of the race and securing victory

Finnish driver Raikkonen took the lead for good on lap 43 of 58 in a race which had seven different leaders.

Speaking on the podium, he said: ‘I was pretty
confident before the race. I thought it should be easy to do it.

‘I got a good start and it worked well. I had doubts because
it is the first race and I didn't do any long runs in the winter. But you have
to get through the first laps and go from there.

‘Fernando was catching me at some point so I just wanted to
make sure if the rain comes we have a big gap.

On song: Finnish driver Raikkonen of Lotus led the way in the Melbourne Grand Prix

No cigar: Fernando Alonso ran Raikkonen close but could not beat his rival

Down the rankings: Lewis Hamilton finished fifth in his first race for Mercedes

‘I was still taking it pretty easy. It was a pretty nice
race. Not too difficult.’

Lotus suggested during winter testing they had taken a step forward from last season, and they underlined that around Melbourne's Albert Park as Raikkonen took the chequered flag for the 20th time in his F1 career.

More to follow.

Holy smokes: Cars lock up their brakes as they approach the first corner of the Albert Park circuit

Frustration: Jenson Button drives in front of Mark Webber but neither driver will be happy with their finish

The gang's all here: The drivers pose for a group shot before the race

Suzi Perry, the new female face of the BBC’s Formula One coverage, believes Jenson Button can repeat the heroics of 2009 to land this season’s coveted crown.

Speaking to Top Gear magazine Perry – who spent 10 years covering MotoGP for the Beeb – expresses doubt over Lewis Hamilton’s chances of landing his second title in his first year after switching to Mercedes.

And she also reveals how James Hunt first attracted her to the sport.

In with a shout: Perry believes Button, in his McLaren above, can reclaim the crown he won in 2009

Driving seat: Perry (right) is the face of the BBC's F1 coverage after taking charge of the MotoGP for ten years

The season curtain raiser in Australia takes place in five days’ time and Perry believes the changes to the tyres this year could see Button land his second championship, but there are number of other, less-fancied, challengers in the frame.

She said: ‘They’re quite a young crop really, when you think that Jenson’s now the most experienced driver on the grid.

'Then you look at the changes in tyre tech, and you’d have to say it suits Jenson, with the softer compounds and wider window of opportunity.

‘He also has a lot of fans already, and his girlfriend’s an Olympic swimmer – together they’re like Posh ’n’ Becks.

She added: ‘When I interviewed him the other day, he basically said they’re working towards a long-term goal. Put yourself in his shoes: you’ve come through McLaren since karting days, and that’s all you’ve known.

'It was purely that existence, with so many strong characters around him, so it’s no wonder he wanted to spread his wings. In his own words, he wanted to grow.

‘I think realistically there’s going to be a major shock if he challenges for the title this year, but there could be race wins. Why not’

She added: ‘As a kid, I remember always having F1 on the telly, going right back to James Hunt – I was six when he won the world championship.

Liverpool's Academy is brimming with
talent and Jordon Ibe, one of its most gifted pupils, showed why he is a
name to note by firing his side into the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals.

Ibe, who was brought to Anfield in an
initial 500,000 deal from Wycombe Wanderers in December 2011, scored
twice as Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners against Leeds to set up a trip to
Hull City in the next round. Jack Dunn completed the scoring in injury
time after Lewis Cook had pulled one back.

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Hot shot: Liverpool's Jordan Ibe scores the opening goal

Take that: Liverpool's Jordan Ibe celebrates his strike

Though Leeds – who had the backing off more than 250 hardy souls from Yorkshire – showed signs of promise in the opening exchanges and finished strongly, they had no answer when Ibe went impressively through the gears in the space of 10 first minutes to take the tie away from the visitors.

Frank McParland, Liverpool’s Academy Director, said: ‘It was a really physical game and I am just pleased we have come through it. Leeds were strong and had more experience and were older than most of our boys.

‘It is great to be in the next round and, of course, Jordon’s performance was excellent. He has been doing really well for the reserves this year and with him being 17, he can play in this competition next year. He took his goals really well.’

Playing on the left-flank and looking to dovetail at every opportunity with Jerome Sinclair – who became the youngest player in Liverpool’s history when he had a brief run out in the Carling Cup against West Brom last September – it was not difficult to see why Ibe is held in such regard.

High jump: Liverpool's Jordan Ibe tangles with Alex Mowatt

Top man: Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard was at the match

He showed great poise in the 29th minute
to skip inside a challenge, after being teed up by Dan Trickett-Smith,
and rifle a shot through the legs of Leeds defender Afolabi Coker, that
left keeper Eric Grimes with no chance.

If the manner in which he dispatched that was impressive, his second
goal was even more so. When Liverpool midfielder Jordan Rossiter won a
challenge deep inside his own half, Ibe had no other option but to set
off on a run.

Such was his change of pace, though, he left Leeds’ Alex Purver trailing
before slaloming around Corey Roper to crack a drive past Grimes. Ibe
went on Liverpool’s tour to the USA last summer and, if he maintains
this progress, another call up to Brendan Rodgers’ squad will not be far
away.

This, however, was not a one-sided contest. Leeds, who came into this
tie having suffered just one defeat all season, started brightly and had
a goal correctly disallowed in the 24th minute when substitute Eoghan
Stokes was adjudged to have fouled Liverpool keeper Ryan Fulton.

Liverpool struggled to find a rhythm in the second half yet Leeds could
not make their domination of possession pay. Cook gave hope of a late
comeback when he cracked a shot past Fulton after being teed up by Alex
Mowatt but their pursuit of an equaliser left them susceptible to a
quick break.

So it proved in injury time when Dunn and substitute Kristoffer Peterson
combined to leave the first named with the easy task of finishing from
six yards.

Di Resta has revealed for the first time that he held talks with the British constructor over a possible move to replace Lewis Hamilton after the 2008 world champion agreed a controversial three-year deal to join Mercedes.

McLaren however, chose to sign Perez, who is heavily supported by telecommunications giant Telmex, which is run by one of the world's richest men in Carlos Slim.

All smiles: Di Resta has revealed he held discussions with McLaren

'I'm not going to give away too much, but yes, there were discussions,' Di Resta said.

'Unfortunately in this sport now there's a little bit more to it. There's a commercial side and money's tight. Perez has some good backing.'

Speaking at the Autosport International show, the Force India driver added: 'I've got a great relationship with McLaren. Martin Whitmarsh was actually the key person who put my name forward for Force India, and also I've been part of Mercedes-Benz for a lot of years.

'Our paths may cross. It may be in a car that's beating them and I'll have the last laugh. But if I've got to work with them, they're professional people and they win races, and that's what I'm in the sport to do.'

Drama, excitement, bust ups, close matches, great performances and two nine-dart finishes: Taylor versus Van Gerwen is a fitting end to a thrilling World Championship

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UPDATED:

17:08 GMT, 31 December 2012

Is there any better way to end a World Championship that has had everything

The 15-time world champion and King of the oche Phil Taylor takes on the red hot Dutch star Michael van Gerwen in one of the most eagerly awaited contests in the tournament’s 20-year history.

‘Mighty Mike’ has lit up Alexandra Palace over the festive period and he has all the attributes needed to topple ‘The Power’ and win his maiden world title.

Van Gerwen produced a champion’s performance to beat two-time winner Adrian Lewis 5-4 in a stunning quarter-final and then, almost unthinkably, played even better against James Wade in the semis. Had MVG pulled off two nine-dart finishes in a row, it surely would have ranked as the greatest moment in darts history.

Mighty Mike: Van Gerwen has produced outstanding form this year at Ally Pally

It has been a year to remember for the Dutchman, after his win at the World Grand Prix and final at the Grand Slam, and a win over Taylor on Tuesday night could almost be a changing of the guard for the sport.

If he plays like he did against Lewis, Van Gerwen will almost certainly be the new world champion.

Taylor said: ‘Michael’s talent is the best I’ve ever seen, even better than me at my peak. I’ve been studying Michael’s game and he doesn’t even seem to look at his target. I’m going to do everything on the dart board I can to beat him.’

But the pressure of a World Championship final could get to the young pretender and, if it does, the last man you would want to face is Taylor.

The Power: Taylor is going for his 16th world title

‘The Power’ hasn’t been at his best at Ally Pally this year but still finds himself in the final. He has negotiated a tricky draw with relative ease, beating Robert Thornton, Andy Hamilton and Raymond van Barneveld.

The bookmakers were right in ranking these two as the favourites but Taylor knows he needs to up his game to stop ‘Mighty Mike’ winning his first world title.

An interesting sub-plot will be the reaction Phil Taylor gets from the crowd after his spat with Barney after the semis.

The 2013 World Championship has had drama, excitement, close matches, sizzling performances and two-nine dart finishes. Let’s hope the final will be the conclusion a brilliant tournament deserves.

Five memorable moments from Ally Pally this year

5. John Part angry that his picture isn't on the wall at Alexandra Palace

Lewis OUT! Mighty Mike hits Jackpot as he sends the reigning champion packing after a classic at Ally Pally

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UPDATED:

23:28 GMT, 29 December 2012

Adrian Lewis’s quest for a third straight world title came to a shuddering halt on Saturday night as he lost 5-4 to an inspired Michael van Gerwen.

The Dutchman showed why he was the pre-tournament second favourite as he overcame some early double problems and withstood everything ‘Jackpot’ threw at him in an astonishing tussle at Ally Pally.

Van Gerwan will play James Wade in the semis after ‘The Machine’ edged past West Newton 5-4 in a classic first match of the evening.

Thriller: Van Gerwen won a classic contest to move into the semi-finals

‘Mighty Mike’ wasted no time in taking
the opening set as he pounced on Lewis’s double trouble to win it 3-0.
The Dutchman broke throw in the second leg after the reigning champion
missed six darts at a double.

But ‘MVG’ had problems on doubles himself and Lewis took advantage to win the second set 3-1.

Van Gerwen’s troubles continued in the
third set as he almost threw away a 2-0 lead with a hatful of missed
doubles. The Dutchman had chances in legs three and four to take the set
but eventually hit double 10 in the deciding leg to move 2-1 ahead.

‘Jackpot’ quickly levelled, though, as
he won the fourth set 3-0 thanks to a 136 checkout on Van Gerwen’s
throw in the second leg.

But Van Gerwen responded with a 3-0
set of his own as he upped his game in the fifth set. The Dutchman came
close to a nine-dart finish but settled for an 11-dart leg to break
Lewis’s throw and move back ahead.

Lewis didn’t back down, though, and he
took the sixth set 3-1 as Van Gerwen’s double trouble returned. But
just when the reigning champion seemed to be taking control of the
match, the Dutchman came roaring back.

Gallant: Lewis played his best match of the tournament but it wasn't enough against the impressive Dutchman

The two-time winner broke throw to
lead 2-1 in the seventh set with a chance to move 4-3 ahead and just one
set away from the semis. But Van Gerwan checked out 120 to break
straight back before hitting double top in the deciding leg to take the
set.

Then, as expected, it was Lewis’s turn
to strike back as he hit an 11-dart leg to break Van Gerwen’s throw to
take the set 3-1 and force a decider.

The gripping contest continued to
excite in the final set and it was Lewis who struck first. ‘Jackpot’
broke Van Gerwen’s throw to lead 2-1 but, typical of the contest, Van
Gerwen pulled off an incredible 83 checkout to level at 2-2 as Lewis
missed two darts at tops.

The Dutchman then checked out 108 to hold and move 3-2 ahead before breaking throw in the next leg to seal a brilliant win.

Mighty Mike: Van Gerwen came out on top in a final-set thriller

Van Gerwen told Sky Sports: ‘We played
a very good game. I was struggling on my doubles but he played so well.
This is my biggest year ever and I’m playing so well at the moment.’

A despondent Lewis said: ‘That is
probably the best game we’ve seen on TV. It was better than Barney and
Taylor’s match (in 2007).’

‘Mighty Mike’ will look to avenge his
World Matchplay defeat to Wade, who was cruising towards victory at 4-2
before a determined fight-back from Newton.

Newton raced into a 2-0 lead before Wade broke in the first leg of the third set before reducing his deficit to 2-1.

Machine: Wade prevailed in a final-set thriller

The fourth set proved to be pivotal as Newton missed three darts at tops which would have taken him 3-1 ahead. Wade pounced to force a deciding leg in the set before hitting double 10, albeit at the fourth time of asking, to level at 2-2.

‘The Machine’ then won five out of the next six legs to go 4-2 up as he looked set for an easy ride into the semis.

But Newton wasn’t finished yet and he won the seventh set 3-0 before levelling at 4-4 to force a decider.

But it was Wade who prevailed as he broke Newton’s throw before sealing the set 3-1 and the match 5-4.

The semi-final clash will take place on Sunday night along with the mouth-watering showdown between Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld.